Richard Hamilton's career with the Detroit Pistons might be drawing to a close.

Talks heated up between the New Jersey Nets and the Pistons on Sunday as the teams tried to work out a three-way trade involving the Denver Nuggets that would send Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups and Hamilton to the Nets.

The trade proposal was reported to include as many as 15 players. Talks were ongoing late Sunday night, but it was not clear at that point when -- or if -- a deal might get done.

The Bergen (N.J.) Record reported that the Nets will have as many as eight players on the way out if the trade goes through, which would leave them with just five players until the players they obtained in the trade pass physicals. The Nets play Wednesday night, so they might have to get something done on Monday or consider putting the trade on hold.

The Pistons were to receive forward Troy Murphy in the proposed trade. Several reports had center Johan Petro coming to the Pistons, possibly with a draft pick. But it appears that the details have not been locked down and that Murphy is the only player the Pistons are certain to receive if the trade goes through.

If completed, the deal would free up salary cap space in the future for the Pistons, who owe Richard Hamilton about $21.5 million over the two seasons following this one.

Hamilton is under contract for about $12.5 million this season, while Murphy is making about $12 million. But Murphy is in the final year of his contract, so his salary will come off the books at the end of the current season, which would allow the Pistons to pursue a free agent in the offseason if the trade is completed.

Pistons forward Tayshaun Prince also is in the final year of his contract that pays him $11 million this season. In all, the Pistons have about $29 million in expiring contracts. How far that will leave them under the salary cap is unclear since the current collective bargaining agreement expires at the end of the season, but it seems likely that completing this trade would allow the Pistons to be players in free agency.